Cerebral palsy won't stop this Madison County wrestler. 'It's an escape'

Feb. 8—JEFFERSON — Competing on a wrestling mat is where Reese Braswell's world becomes normal.

Madison County's 113-pounder can disappear into a commonplace world and escape some of life's everyday struggles.

Braswell was born with cerebral palsy, defined by the CDC as a group of disorders affecting a person's ability to move and maintain balance and posture and the most common motor disability in childhood.

He finds strength from teammates and fans encouraging him through each match.

The victories are rare, but accomplishments in that category pale in comparison to what he achieves each day by willing his body to perform for the Red Raiders.

"For me it's an escape, a way to get away from just different things," Braswell said. "A way to get away from my normal life."

Braswell on Saturday was named Region 8-4A's Most Outstanding Wrestler before the region finals in The Arena at Jefferson.

While Jefferson ran away with the region's traditional title—a week after winning its 19th team duals championship in 20 seasons—no wrestler was more deserving of the region's outstanding wrestler award, believes Dragons' athletic director Bill Navas.

Braswell's determination has been inspirational for Navas, a fan of wrestling because, he says, strong-minded athletes perform an individual sport with a team mentality.

"It takes a certain kind of kid to do that and not everybody is wired that way," Navas said. "When you see a kid who steps on the mat that might have less ability than most of the kids in that weight class, who goes out and competes every night and buys into the team aspect of it you can't help but get a little inspired."

Braswell began wrestling in middle school and was quickly immersed in the sport.

By his freshman year at Madison County, Braswell was the Red Raiders' 106-pound wrestler.

Red Raider coach Richie Houston was hesitant to let Braswell wrestle but after a few workouts and practices, those doubts subsided.

"The kid is full of spunk and he's got a never-quit attitude," Houston said. "He gives it his all. If everybody else in the room did as much as he did then they'd be twice as good."

Braswell finds camaraderie with teammates, who he finds as much inspiration as the other way around.

Wrestling turns his focus from a disability toward being one of the guys in the gym. Inside practice gyms is where Braswell can be a student athlete.

"For me it's just different because I'm different from other people," Braswell said. "It makes for a different way to connect with other people and this is just how I do it. It's almost like I'm normal. And don't take that wrong because I'm always normal—but for me it's just like: I'm just me."

When Braswell competes, an excitement fills the arena.

His courage and bravery catches the attention of onlookers who root for his success, even against the team or wrestler they are there to cheer on.

"I think whether you're for our team or for other teams, I think it gives people motivation and inspiration," Houston said. "It's just true inspiration. Somebody who doesn't let something hold him back."

___

(c)2021 the Athens Banner-Herald (Athens, Ga.)

Visit the Athens Banner-Herald (Athens, Ga.) at www.onlineathens.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.